My '59 Les Paul Build.

[pshupe]

Very nice. The carve looks great. Any reason you didn't set the neck and drill all the other holes before finish? Generally Gibson set neck style guitars are completely setup before finish, or at least hobby built ones. I even do fret level, and dress as well. Less chance of messing up the finish if all that stuff is done first, IMO.

Regards Peter.

 

[nickhofen]

Very nice. The carve looks great. Any reason you didn't set the neck and drill all the other holes before finish? Generally Gibson set neck style guitars are completely setup before finish, or at least hobby built ones. I even do fret level, and dress as well. Less chance of messing up the finish if all that stuff is done first, IMO.

Regards Peter.

The very first time I paint a set neck guitar was four years ago and I found it difficult to make the burst at the left and right of the neck area.
This time I wanted to try it this way, maybe it is not the best approach but I had to experiment and see what works better for me.
About the holes.I made the holes of the pots and the switch because I had to measure the right thickness of the maple at the area, I usually leave the holes for the end and after the polishing of the finish because I do not want any water to penetrate between the varnish and the wood of the guitar.

 

[pshupe]

I have not painted any bolt on neck guitars, so I guess I'm just used to it. I generally just mask of the board and binding and then spray the burst. Have you fit the neck perfectly already? The fret board gets glued to the top of the guitar. Not sure how that will work with the paint already done?

I find it tricky to drill holes through the finish. It's a lot easier to fix a mistake or scratch or dent when drilling all the holes before you finish sand for paint. I use mineral spirits or naptha for wet sanding. You can also plug the smaller holes with plasticine or use CA glue to seal the edges. You can use water but you just can't soak the top. When I used water I would wet sand with one hand and have a cloth in the other to wipe off.

You can do whatever you want, clearly, I just thought I would suggest something that may be easier and have less chance of catastrophic error. Looks great though and I'm sure it will work out well any way you continue.

Cheers Peter.

 

[nickhofen]

I have not painted any bolt on neck guitars, so I guess I'm just used to it. I generally just mask of the board and binding and then spray the burst. Have you fit the neck perfectly already? The fret board gets glued to the top of the guitar. Not sure how that will work with the paint already done?

I find it tricky to drill holes through the finish. It's a lot easier to fix a mistake or scratch or dent when drilling all the holes before you finish sand for paint. I use mineral spirits or naptha for wet sanding. You can also plug the smaller holes with plasticine or use CA glue to seal the edges. You can use water but you just can't soak the top. When I used water I would wet sand with one hand and have a cloth in the other to wipe off.

You can do whatever you want, clearly, I just thought I would suggest something that may be easier and have less chance of catastrophic error. Looks great though and I'm sure it will work out well any way you continue.

Cheers Peter.

Thanks Peter, I will keep those information in mind!

 

[nickhofen]

I flat sand the ugly nitro spots and it seems that I am going to leave the body as is...at least for the moment.

 

[Freeman Keller]

I know its too late now but I'm with Pshupe, I always set the neck and do all the drilling before I start finishing. That way the seam at the heel is completely smooth and I don't have to worry about chipping the holes when I drill them.

I shoot the guitar laying flat on its back or on the top (I put little pieces of wood in the pickup cavities to support it) - that way I can walk around and shoot the 'burst either towards or away from the center, depending on what I want.

Yours looks good, I like the colors. Obviously none of the old '59's are the same color as when they were new so its kind of hard to duplicate that with new finish, but I like yours.

 

[nickhofen]

I know its too late now but I'm with Pshupe, I always set the neck and do all the drilling before I start finishing. That way the seam at the heel is completely smooth and I don't have to worry about chipping the holes when I drill them.

I shoot the guitar laying flat on its back or on the top (I put little pieces of wood in the pickup cavities to support it) - that way I can walk around and shoot the 'burst either towards or away from the center, depending on what I want.

Yours looks good, I like the colors. Obviously none of the old '59's are the same color as when they were new so its kind of hard to duplicate that with new finish, but I like yours.

Thanks Freeman , I will try those tips at my next build!

 

[Freeman Keller]

When I built my lester I just put it on a little low step ladder and walked around it. One thing that I noticed about that picture is that I have the cavity covers in place - I did not shoot them that way.

Here is my version of the ice tea 'burst or whatever you want to call it, I used amber stain to try to pop the flame, the 'burst was done with amber and brown tint in the lacquer. I like yours better

Guitar is still sitting on the step stool, you can see a block of wood in the bridge p/u cavity that along with the neck, holds the body off the stool.

Since then I have been using a short folding table (a child's little picnic table) which is about the right height to walk around and shoot all the sides. I use that whether the neck is on or not, I'm just not good enough to shoot a guitar that is hanging vertically.

 

[nickhofen]

@Freeman Keller you spray the burst also with the guitar on the stool ?
I like you guitar better ,can we trade?

 

[Freeman Keller]

Yes, I walk around shooting either the side closest to me and letting it fade to the middle or I shoot the side away from me and try to make it darker towards the edge. On this guitar the 'burst was shot in multiple passes starting with just the edge an moving in with each pass. Here was the first pass or two, I think I was shoot towards the center but can't really remember

I had done some sunbursts using wipe on finish the way (I understand) that Gibson did the old Loar instruments, but I knew that by 1959 they were pretty much doing the burst in the finish itself which is why I decided to go this way. I think the wiped finishes are much more vibrant but I think this turned out OK

 

[crazydave911]

Nick, the only one I'll probably ever do I will paint. I'm going more for a Gretsch vibe anyway. But whatever works for YOU, stick with it, because the best LP finishes I've seen did NOT come from Gibson. And yours is superb

Dave

 

[nickhofen]

I couldn't live with those two stamps on the body so I decided to sand it back and try again.
This time maybe for a more light teaburst or some ither burst will see.
Any suggestions are welcome!

 

[crazydave911]

Rondo used to sell an Agile LP with a "Root Beer" burst I thought was killer. Sadly no more

 

[GeminiCG]

That is a killer carve! I've been planning on building an LP style for a while, but I still need to bite my teeth into building a guitar. More than likely I will start out with a Tele.

 

[RogerC]

Rondo used to sell an Agile LP with a "Root Beer" burst I thought was killer. Sadly no more

I Actually had one! It was an AL3000. Not only was it a beautiful finish, it was the BEST LP I’d ever played. Best bang-for-the-buck guitars out there. Period.

you’ve got a pretty good aesthetic sense, Nick. I’m sure whatever you settle on is going to be awesome.

 

[Macrogats]

Looking good Nick. It’s going to look fantastic.

 

[I_build_my_own]

Blue?

 

[nickhofen]

Rondo used to sell an Agile LP with a "Root Beer" burst I thought was killer. Sadly no more

You will find another one my friend, or better you are going to build one in the near future.

That is a killer carve! I've been planning on building an LP style for a while, but I still need to bite my teeth into building a guitar. More than likely I will start out with a Tele.

Thanks mate, you are at the right place to get all the info you need to build any guitar you like, you see all the people here are very kind and ready to help!

I Actually had one! It was an AL3000. Not only was it a beautiful finish, it was the BEST LP I’d ever played. Best bang-for-the-buck guitars out there. Period.

you’ve got a pretty good aesthetic sense, Nick. I’m sure whatever you settle on is going to be awesome.

Thank you for your kind words Roger, I have to tell you that I enjoy very much every video you upload on youtube!

Looking good Nick. It’s going to look fantastic.

Thanks mate!

Blue?

Nooo there are not blue 59s!!!

 

[nickhofen]

I have not painted any bolt on neck guitars, so I guess I'm just used to it. I generally just mask of the board and binding and then spray the burst. Have you fit the neck perfectly already? The fret board gets glued to the top of the guitar. Not sure how that will work with the paint already done?

I find it tricky to drill holes through the finish. It's a lot easier to fix a mistake or scratch or dent when drilling all the holes before you finish sand for paint. I use mineral spirits or naptha for wet sanding. You can also plug the smaller holes with plasticine or use CA glue to seal the edges. You can use water but you just can't soak the top. When I used water I would wet sand with one hand and have a cloth in the other to wipe off.

You can do whatever you want, clearly, I just thought I would suggest something that may be easier and have less chance of catastrophic error. Looks great though and I'm sure it will work out well any way you continue.

Cheers Peter.

This time I am going to drill the holes first and glue the neck also!